University of Mobile performing arts season announced

The University of Mobile (UM) has finalized its 2015-2016 performing arts schedule and there’s an assortment of expressions and genres to please a wide gamut of tastes. From summer’s last traces to its next arrival and from secular to spiritual, the season is a journey across area favorites and mainstays.

The season begins with the UM Jazz Band’s concert “Sing, Sing, Sing” Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. The show features the best vocal songs of the Big Band era and will be held at the Saraland Performing Arts Center at Saraland High School (1115 Industrial Parkway). General admission is $10.

(Photo/ Courtesy University of Mobile) The University of Mobile has announced its 2015-2016 performing arts schedule. Here students are shown at the 2014 Christmas Spectacular.

A month later, the university unveils its interpretation of George and Ira Gershwin’s musical comedy “Crazy For You” Nov. 7 and 8 at the same venue. Saturday curtain is at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. General admission is $25, $10 for students with ID.

Just a couple of weeks later, UM’s “Christmas Spectacular” takes center stage Nov. 19-22 at Dauphin Way Baptist Church (Dauphin Street and Interstate 65). Billed as the largest Christmas concert along the central Gulf Coast, more than 50 student and professional musicians will accompany roughly 200 singers from the university. The school said last year’s version attracted more than 9,000 attendees.

Seating is available at graduated pricing, from $5 to $30.

In the new year, the university goes back to the classics when it stages “Night of the Classical Masters” Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. That performance by the university’s students, faculty and staff will be staged at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church (1507 Dauphin St.).

Closer to Easter, UM premieres “Savior,” a tale encompassing thousands of years of Judeo-Christian religious arc. Described as a contemporary oratorio, there will be three performances, March 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and March 20 (Palm Sunday) at 4 p.m. at Dauphin Way Baptist Church.

The UM Jazz Band presents “The World of Walt Disney,” featuring numbers from Disney films, April 7 at 7 p.m. at the Saraland Performing Arts Center. Admission is $10.
A week later, Mozart’s timeless “The Magic Flute” will be presented April 16 and 17 at the same venue. The Saturday show is at 7 p.m. while the Sunday show begins at 2 p.m. Admission is $25, $10 for students with ID.

The season closes with the “Spring Spectacular” featuring students from 20 of the university’s performing ensembles. The location is listed as yet to be determined, the date as May 1 at 7 p.m.

Season tickets are available for $90. Group rates for 10 or more cost $75 per person. Season tickets holders are also invited to dessert receptions at all events held at Saraland Performing Arts Center.

Tickets for individual events can be purchased beginning Sept. 1 at itickets.com and will be available at the door of each show.

Classical trio celebrates a decade
It’s been 10 years since the violinist Enen Yu, cellist Guo-Sheng Huang and pianist Robert Holm pooled their sizable talents to form the Archduke Trio. They will commemorate the anniversary with a show at the University of South Alabama’s Laidlaw Performing Arts Center (5157 USA Drive S.) Sept. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Hall.